New Age Instrumental Review: Ryan Stewart-One Journey

Ryan Stewart was given the gift of music by his mother. At the age of thirteen, she passed away from breast cancer and the event has forever left a mark on his soul. In One Journey, Stewart’s third album, he explores the continuity of human relationships. Not the type you find online where everyone is so focused on technology, but the kind of real connection you get with the people that make an impact on our lives. This songwriter and composer has a gift of emotional resonance that fluttered through me with every song. Guest artists on the album include: Monte Belknap (violin) and Nicole Pinnell (cello). Stewart has composed works for documentaries and many others.

“Under the Willow” is a meaningful piece for Stewart for multiple reasons. It was inspired by his childhood memories at the ages of twelve and thirteen. He would lie underneath a very particular willow tree and dream. Soft and melodic, the song drifts in like a cloud, swiftly changing to the poignant tones of a violin. The Celtic overtones in the piece bring harp and the beautiful vocals of Stewart’s daughter Aysia. His daughter was the same age as he was when he first found the willow tree so getting her involved in the project was especially meaningful. Wind instruments flex and merge into a composition that is truly breathtaking. Buoyant and full of wonderment, this piece is for all the dreamers out there reaching out to find the deeper things in life.

“Winding Road” begins as a piano sequence and continues as such. The imagery invoked is walking along a well-trod path, as your mind works out the troubles of the day. A steady melody, the piece keeps time as you make your way. With anything, you do not walk your path alone. There are loved ones that fall into step beside you and though the way may wind and at times be unclear, the journey is part of the process.

“Coming Home” is a joyous composition. A cornucopia of sound, this piece encapsulates the joy you feel as you stride across the doorstep of the place you call home. Violins, percussion and multiple instruments swirl together to create an uplifting feeling that is truly infectious. It is bending down to enfold your puppy in your arms after a long day at work. It is the twinkling eyes of your daughter as she meets your gaze or the unconditional love of your spouse. But most of all, it is musical symmetry and the artistry of Ryan Stewart and the gifted musicians that helped to create this piece.

Our life journey is one filled with opportunity and people who make a difference by word and deed. Ryan Stewart found such a person in his gifted mother, a musician who instilled in him a love for the craft. Today he spends time with his family and is thrilled to compose and perform music for multiple outlets. Each song on One Journey is like a vanilla cupcake and a cup of your favorite tea. It just goes down smooth and you never want it to end.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Under the Willow, Winding Road, Coming Home

Tracks:01.When We Met02.Here and Now 03. Brighter04.Under the Willow05.Innocence06.Old Friend07.The Portrait08.Happy People09.One Step Closer10.Windows of Time11.Winding Road12.Our Story13.Coming Home

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Release Date: 12th
February 2016 Label: Wind-Up Website Aunt
Mary, as a name, somehow suggests an “older” band and it came as no real
surprise to find that they are a Norwegian prog band from the 70’s. The band
were considered by many to be one of the best prog bands in Norway with their
brand of music a mixture of heavy hard rock tunes plus clear indications of a
more symphonic nature, although that only really showed itself on their 3rd,
and last, studio album, Janus, in
1973. Last that is, until now, with the release of New Dawn. This would appear to be an apt title for a release which
follows 24 years after an album of blues covers, released in 1992.

At their height, Aunt Mary were “up there” with the likes
of Deep Purple, Ten Years After, King Crimson, Jethro Tull and many more. After
the release of Janus in 1973, the
band split up but did a few sporadic appearances, as well as releasing the
blues covers album mentioned earlier.

Release Date: February 2, 2018 Label: Anaya Music Website Around
this time a year ago I had the experience of listening to Anaya Music and
providing coverage of Eternity. It was an uplifting experience and a memorable
listen as I recall. Now with
February drawing closer AONKI – Gateway
of Love (Cosmic New Age Music) will arrive. Once
again, the recording features several exceptional collaborations between Anaya
Music and a live virtual symphony orchestra recorded in the heart of Prague,
the capital of the Czech republic.
The orchestra combines members of the finest ensembles
in Prague, including the Czech Philharmonic.
I think
they should rename the orchestra to “The Live Spiritual Orchestra.” If you have
been exposed to Anaya Music you will understand what that means. If this is
your first journey with this music you will find out very quickly. Either way,
this is spiritually uplifting music that leaves a smile on your soul. It’s like
the term digital footprint, there is an everlasting m…

Release Date: June
29, 2018 Label: Cakewalk Records Website This
will be my sixth voyage into the world of Project Grand Slam (PGS). So, what is
this experience going to be like this time? I would expect the same great
combination of jazz, rock, funk, and pop that I always enjoyed.

So, now we are Trippin’
into 2018 with PGS. And the first track titled “1972” was like turning on the
radio and hearing the Average White Band or Tower of Power. Yes sir, on the AM
dial, it came blaring through back in those days.

The title track is a real gas too. This number has some
great sax from Castro and a killer rhythm section courtesy of Miller and Mateo.
It shines the spotlight on them clear and bright. Let me tell you, those two
are like the dynamic duo, kind of like a p…